ok, this problem is gone now, but i'd still like to know what caused it.

i started the car to go to work in the morning, the car started with the grinding noise from the tranny, and the dash lights became dimmer at the same time. so i got on the road and everytime i step my foot on the clutch, it will make the grinding noise and dash lights will become dimmer again, and i noticed the speedo will drop same as the rpm gauge. so i just drove in 5th gear all the way, until i got to work. i shut off the car after and restarted it again and problem went away.
btw, i got a 96 dx coupe.

does anybody knows what the cause might be? any input will be greatly appreciated. thx! HT!

 

that could be a few things the grinding noise could be a throw out bearing or release bearing that is going bad. when you said the speedo drops the same as the rpm gauge are you meaning the backlighting or the actual needle

 

the lighting will become dimmer and the needle will drop too.

 

Did the CEL or battery/charge light come on?

 

the check engine light came on too, battery didnt. oh also, the ebrake light came on at the same time as i step on the clutch.

 

Jump the service connector to pull the CEL codes.

 

i will try to put some codes tonight or tomorrow. weird is that the problem went away after i restarted it.